November 15, 2013

How To Set Up Compiz In Xubuntu 12.10 Or 12.04

Posted: 01 Nov 2012 07:54 AM PDT

This article shows how to set up Compiz in Xubuntu (w/ Xfce) 12.10 or 12.04. I've tested the instructions below on Xubuntu 12.10, but they should work on Xubuntu 12.04 as well - there are some minor differences which I've explained below.

Before proceeding, please note that to be able to use Compiz, you'll obviously need a 3D capable graphics card and drivers.

Let's get started!

How to use Compiz in Xubuntu (w/ Xfce) 12.10 or 12.04

2. You'll also need a tool to change the window titlebar theme (since Metacity will be used). I suggest Unsettings
since it has a nice UI and doesn't depend on GNOME packages like GNOME
Tweak Tool, but you can also do this with dconf-editor in Ubuntu 12.10
(or gconf-editor in Ubuntu 12.04).

To keep things light and without the need to add any PPAs, we'll use dconf-editor / gconf-editor in the steps below.

For Ubuntu 12.10, install dconf-tools:

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools

Then press ALT + F2 and run: "dconf-editor", navigate to org > gnome > desktop > vm > preferences
and change the "theme" value from "Adwaita" to "Greybird". Remember
this because in the same place you can also change the window button
layout, among others.

For Ubuntu 12.04, install gconf-editor:

sudo apt-get install gconf-editor

Then press ALT + F2 and run: "gconf-editor", navigate to apps > metacity > general
and set the "theme" value to "Greybird" (assuming that Graybird theme
is installed - and it should since it's the default theme).

Whenever you want to change the Xubuntu window theme, you'll have to use dconf-editor / gconf-editor like explained above.

You can enable/disable more plugins later
on, but the important part is to enable the plugins required for Compiz
to work properly, which I've mentioned above, before running Compiz for
the first time.

4. Let's start Compiz using the following command:

compiz --replace

5. Add Compiz to Xubuntu startup applications:

At
this point, Compiz is up and running but it won't be used after a
system restart. So if you're satisfied with it, add it start when you
login to your Xubuntu session: open Settings Manager > Session and Startup
and on the Application Autostart tab, click "Add", under "Name" enter
"Compiz" and under "Command", enter "compiz --replace" (both without
quotes). You can leave the description field empty.

This
isn't the best way to start Compiz, but I couldn't figure out how to
properly add it to the Xubuntu session. If you know how to do this, let
us know in the comments.

If later on you don't want to use Compiz any more, simply remove Compiz from Settings Manager > Session and Startup > Applications Autostart tab, then log out and log back in.